Company Picnic Ideas and Planning Tips

The company picnic is a much loved tradition in many companies.

By Ellen Zucker

Picnics can be quite effective as a morale booster for employees. Because it gives them a chance to mingle and "let down their hair," a well organized event with planned activities can help integrate employees with each other. This is particularly important if the company has undergone recent reorganization. As such it functions as a "team bonding" mechanism.

Picnics can be held for a department of 30 or an entire company of thousands.

Some Considerations

Like any other type of event, you need to decide what you want your picnic to look like and how much you want to spend.

And as with any event, you also want to keep the needs and tastes of your attendees paramount. You will also want to allow yourself sufficient time to book your venue if the picnic is offsite.

You'll need to plan your food and beverages, and activities and entertainment.

You want to have time so you can notify your employees well enough ahead of time so they can plan accordingly-especially if you'll be inviting family members or if it is held on a weekend.

Company picnics and company picnic ideas can range from the very simple to a pull-out-all-stops extravaganza. My observation is that people can have a good time at both.

Do you want to have a THEME?

A theme can make it easier to organize food and activities. Find theme and party related products here.

WHEN do you want to hold you company's picnic?

Here in the Philadelphia area, companies hold their picnics beginning in June and going into early October.

Considerations such as your company's work flow, availability of a desired venue, etc., will play a role here. Employees are less apt to be away on vacation in June or September, but they will really enjoy being laid back in July or August.

There are pros and cons to weekday picnics versus weekend picnics.

Company picnics held during a workday will ensure a greater attendance for employees. After all, your staff would be in the office anyway. And, they don't cut into precious personal time.

But if you want to include family members, think weekends.

WHOM do you want to invite?

Staff only? Members of the employee's immediate family? What about significant others, friends? Decide where to draw the line.

Family picnics are a great way for employees to meet families-and if you permit-friends and significant others of the employees. It humanizes co-workers by showing another dimension to their at-work personas.

On the other hand, single or divorced employees can feel like the odd wheel if it is a very family oriented event. That can be overcome by planning activities suitable for people of all ages.

Activities that require participants to form groups can help integrate the attendees. And it keeps your guests occupied.

WHERE do you want to have your company picnic?

Picnics can take place under a tent in the company's parking lot, but offsite venues can make people feel more relaxed. If you're on a strict budget, one option is a nearby state park. Many have large pavilions ideally suited for such events.

I've also been to company picnics given at the home of the firm's CEO or owner. In some of these instances, facilities were set up so that the guests attend to their needs without needing to tramp through the host's private home. It adds a homey touch to the festivities.

And there are caterers who specialize in catering to company picnics.

An excellent option to consider is a venue that is set up especially for the company picnic. Generally these picnic parks come set up with in-house catering, and lots of games and activities for the big and smaller kids. Some day camps, such as Adventureland just outside of Philadelphia, rent out their facilities on weekends when they are otherwise not in use.

Amusement parks are another option. And one company sprang for a luncheon river cruise on the Spirit of Philadelphia.

Raindates are a third option, but if there is any way to make the 'show go on' even in inclement weather, I advise you to do so.

Raindates create scheduling complexity for your guests. They have to keep two dates open instead of one if they really want to attend your event.

Some vendors cannot accomodate raindates at all (what was that caterer going to do with all of that food?). Picnic season is peak time for many vendors and they cannot afford to turn away other business to keep your second date open - so, at minimum, do expect to pay extra.

Food and Beverages

If you choose to have the food catered, you don't have to worry about preparation or cleanup. Many venues such as picnic parks have in-house catering.

The wonderful thing about picnic fare is that it can be very simple if you choose. Hot dogs and hamburgers are still the most popular dishes I see at picnics. But caterers will cater to your every whim.

Keep the menu flexible enough to accomodate those with special needs. In this day and age, for example, there are meat eaters and vegans. Not to mention devotees of Atkins, South Beach, and other diets. Muslims and Jews may not wish to eat pork.

So having at least one non-pork and non-meat option is an excellent idea. If your picnic has a theme, your menu can reflect that.

Decide whether you want to permit alcoholic beverages. If so, make sure there is a way to ensure that anyone who drinks a bit too much makes it home safely.

Do have age appropriate activities and games.

Some venues such as picnic parks make it a point to supply many activities. Nonetheless, you may want to supplement them. Some ideas are caricature artists, Tarot readers, magicians, face painters for the kids, dee jays, Karaoke, clowns, balloonists, even reptile shows to name a few.

(For example, my company, Faces & Fortunes, which provides caricature artists and fortune tellers in Greater Philadelphia and surrounding tristate area keeps very busy during the summer picnic season).

Door prizes are a cherished company picnic idea at many firms.

Some prizes I've seen are a certificate good for a dinner for two at a local restaurant, gift certificate at a local department store, a day off with pay, even a free vacation. Other cool ideas include a pair of tickets to see a favorite sports team or a hot concert or show.

These are some of my company picnic ideas and planning tips to get you started.

.... And after you've worked so hard to plan it, be sure to go and enjoy yourself!

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